Inferring email action based on user input
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsEliot C. Gillum, Pablo M. Stern
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computer implemented computer method for assisting email users. When a user selects an action with respect to email source such as an email address, the user's intended action is inferred. The source validity is checked. Where a user provides input identifying an email as spam, the inferred action may be to add the email address associated with the message to a user block list. The address may be added only where the address or domain are identified as valid sources of email.
Claims20
A computer implemented method for assisting email users, comprising:
- receiving an action from a user which can be inferred to be a request to add an email source to a block list associated with the user;
- determining whether blocking the source would be effective against exposing the user to additional email from the source;
- and
- adding the source to the user block list if adding the source is determined to be effective.
A computer implemented method maintaining user email block lists according to source, comprising;
- presenting at least a portion of an email message to a user for review;
- presenting an action selection interface to the user;
- receiving an action from a user which can be inferred to be a request to add the source to a user block list or safelist;
- determining whether blocking the source would be effective against exposing the user to additional email from the source;
- and
- if the determination is that blocking the source would be effective, adding the email to a block list or safelist based on the user action.
A method implemented by an email service provider having a plurality of users accessing email via the provider, the method for assisting email users, comprising:
- receiving a command from a user which can be inferred to be a request to add the source to a block list associated with the user;
- determining whether blocking the source would prevent additional email from the source from reaching the user based upon one or more criteria identifying the source as a valid source I;
- adding the source to the user block list if the source is determined to be effective.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.